Sixth year students planning a holiday should go for July
It’s the beginning of a long and difficult year for Leaving Cert students — stressful, emotional, tiring and full of hard work. Almost certainly, students will want to celebrate when it is finally over and an increasingly common celebration is the Leaving Cert holiday.
It seems to me that students are organising their Leaving Cert holiday earlier and earlier. It may seem strange to be discussing this in the first week of the school year and may even seem like a frivolous topic, but as we are finishing up the CAO season with the class of 2018, this issue is fresh in my mind.
It is essential that any sixth year student considering booking a Leaving Cert holiday does not do so for the week of the CAO offers.
Jetting off to some sunny island right after you collect your results may seem like the perfect way to celebrate. It allows students to work after the exams to save money to fund this adventure, and to spend time with school friends before they all begin new chapters in their lives.
For most students, the first round of CAO offers will require very little work. They will simply click on the CAO website to accept a place on a desired course.
But, for some, there will be disappointment. Inevitably, some will not be happy with their Leaving Cert results. Some may see the points rise for their dream course and, in the process, move out of their reach.
These students will need to be close by their friends and family. They will need emotional support to help them deal with their disappointment.
They will also need to begin to organise other opportunities and an alternative plan. This can involve applying to view their exam scripts straight away with a view to seeking a recheck. They may need to attend interviews, make new applications or visit their guidance counsellor.
All of these things are so much more difficult, if not impossible, if you are away from home. It makes a difficult situation incredibly stressful for parents and students.
Even students who are delighted with their offer may need to use this time to view and book accommodation if they are moving away from home.
No one wants to be in a situation where parents are trying to organise opportunities for a student who is abroad. Taking instruction through email and over the phone is impossible and really, at 18, these young people need to take responsibility for their next step and they must be here to do this.
Leaving Cert holidays are becoming more popular than ever but, like everything in career planning, students should strive to achieve everything they have dreamed of, but prepare for the worse case scenario as well. So I will be advising my students to enjoy their holiday, but to be safe and consider July.